Chelsea Striker Delap Out 10 Weeks with Hamstring Injury

Chelsea striker Liam Delap is expected to be sidelined for around 10 weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained against Fulham, ruling him out of at least a dozen key matches including Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup fixtures. Although Delap will not require surgery, his recovery is longer than initially feared, with a possible return to training in November and a potential comeback around late November or early December, coinciding with the busy festive schedule. His absence forced Chelsea to recall Marc Guiu from loan and adjust transfer plans, including initially halting Nicolas Jackson's loan to Bayern Munich before finalizing the deal. In Delap's absence, Joao Pedro is expected to lead Chelsea's attack, with Guiu providing backup. Chelsea faces a challenging period without Delap, missing crucial games against top teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham. The club is aiming to have Delap fully fit for the demanding December fixtures as they navigate this injury setback.